The Power of Certainty
very closely interconnected, but they should, nevertheless, be distinguished and not confused. The act of faith by which I recognize the truth differs from the one by which I am assured of my own salvation.
The Power of Certainty While scientific certainty rests on rational and therefore more universal ground than the certainty of faith, the latter far outstrips the first in subjective power—that is, in the strength of the tie by which the soul embraces its object in faith. Once a testimony has been recognized and accepted as divine, obviously it binds and rules man more powerfully than any other word. The convictions of faith are the deepest, the most intimate, the dearest and at the same time the most tenacious of all. No wars are more terrible than those fought for religion. No greater hate exists than that aroused by religion. But also no devotion, no commitment, no self-denial, no love, no faithfulness, no patience, no virtues in general are as marvelously rich and sublime as those that blossom forth from a life of fellowship with God.
Faith, to name only one of these virtues, counts its martyrs in the thousands, even in the millions. Science has but a few. The famous
Johann Kepler (1571-1630) practiced astrology contrary to his convictions in order to make a living. He excused his conduct with the remark that the needy mother (astronomy) would have to live off the foolish daughter (astrology). Three times Galileo (15641642) recanted his scientific convictions about the Copernican system before the Inquisition. His fear of execution was greater than his love of science. Who wants to die for the proposition that the earth turns?
Ultimately it makes very little difference and can always be corrected later. Who will put his possessions, his name, and his life on the line